Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a child led method of working with children who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Most children don’t have the words to talk about their experiences; however; they are able to express themselves and show their feelings using the language of play.
With the use of the Play Therapy Toolkit and a safe, confidential space; the child or young person is able to creatively explore their inner world and work towards resolution.
Play Therapy Can Support:
- Anxiety, stress, trauma, phobias or withdrawn behaviour
- Divorce, bereavement or family separation
- Attachment, regression and relationship difficulties
- Neurodivergent children (ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc)
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Lack of concentration, confidence and/or self-esteem
- Friendship difficulties - including bullying or being bullied
- Communication and behavioural delays or difficulties
- Looked after and fostered children
- Angry / aggressive, controlling behaviour or poor self-regulation
- Learning and achievement of academic potential
My Role as a Play Therapist is...
I will consistently interact with the child in an open, accepting, and respectful manner throughout our sessions to build a trusting relationship. It is important to set boundaries between myself and my client to determine how we use the space, and their input in this process is highly valued.
In the early stages of therapy, I will remain non-directive, meaning the child can freely choose what and how to play in the room. I will follow their lead and participate in their play when invited. I will provide observations and reflections to help the child learn more about themselves and their world.
Once a trusting relationship has been established and the child is open to a particular direction for their sessions, I may then start to implement more directive and structured play to help them work through their feelings and experiences.work through what they are bringing into the space.
My Background
Before and during my first degree in Early Years Education, I had a range of different experiences, from working in schools to contact centres and providing therapeutic support to children and families who had experienced Domestic Violence. A combination of my character, life experiences, and academic background led me to train as a Play and Creative Arts Therapist with The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC).
I observed a lack of urgency and importance for the looked after and children in care that I worked with to understand how and why their path led them to a new home. So, in 2022, I decided to train in Therapeutic Life Story Work to support them on their journey of knowing their story.
More recently, I studied DIR Floortime to be able to provide a more thoughtful and accessible service to those children who are Neurodivergent.
I am extremely passionate about allowing children be themselves. I aim to bring understanding and exploration of their emotions and inner world to help the individual overcome anything that is holding them back from living a full and happy life. Having a good rapport with my clients is very important to me, and I like to keep an element of fun in my sessions when I can.
To acheive this, I believe that providing a holistic service is beneficial for each client. I am trained in Parent Child Attachment Play (PACP) and my practice is NVR-informed (Non-violent resistance parenting) to support the parents and professionals around my clients, so that we can collaboratively meet their individual needs.
Services
I work with individuals face-to-face in schools across North West London and Dunstable or privately in Mill Hill. Play Therapy Sessions can be from 35-40 minutes and take place weekly, term time for at least 12 weeks. This period can be longer depending on the client’s needs and will be I work with individuals in schools, providing Play Therapy Sessions that last 35-40 minutes and take place weekly during term time for at least 12 weeks. The duration of the sessions can be longer based on the client’s needs, and this will be decided during the referral stage with regular reviews. I am dedicated to offering a comprehensive service and collaborating closely with parents and professionals to support my clients. I strive to be flexible and accommodate the needs of the school to the best of my ability.determined at the referral stage with regular reviews. I enjoy providing a well-rounded service working closely and providing support to parents and professionals around my clients. I can be flexible and try my best to work with the needs of the school.
